If you plan your time around what’s happening in Cuenca’s creative community, then this column is for you. Published every Monday, “What’s Happening Under the Domes”highlights the exhibits, concerts, workshops and
other not-to-be-missed artistic events scheduled for the coming week. We cannot guarantee a complete listing, but we’ll try our best to keep you informed.
This week:
Come see Artist Kelly Harding’s exquisite watercolors at idiomART!
Opening on Wednesday, February 6, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Meet the artist, music, light fare and cash bar.
Exhibition continues through February 28. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
idiomART is located at Presidente Córdova 1-77, between Manuel Vega and Miguel Angel Estrella, in el Centro.
Kelly Harding watercolor
Free movies at The Castle this week!
The Castle begins its free movies on its 15′ screen again this week with a great lineup we know you’ll enjoy.
All showings start at 4 p.m.
Showing this week:
Monday: “Get Me Roger Stone”
Tuesday: “What Happened, Miss Simone?”
Wednesday: “Genius”
Thursday: “Sinatra: To Be Frank”
Friday: “The Man Who Knew Infinity”
The Castle is located on the Tomebamba River, with two entrances on 3 de Noviembre (200 feet downriver from the Broken Bridge) and on Bajada de Todos los Santos, (500 feet downhill from Todos Santos Church). Parking is available on Calle Larga, just above The Castle. You can take the stairs down from Calle Larga right to our Todos Santos entrance!
Monday, February 4
tattleTALES: Critique Group for Writers of Memoir and Personal Essay
This free critique group is for anyone who wants to tell a life story — to write about lived adventure, adversity, trauma, and/or redemption. No writing experience is needed.
Sessions will be held at idiomARTat President Córdova 1-77 y Manuel Vega on the first and third Mondays of each month, 10 a.m. until noon.
Coffee, tea, and chocolate croissants will be served. Facilitated by Carolyn V. Hamilton and Kathryn M. McCullough, for more information, email: studio@idiomart.net
La Guarida presents“El Espinazo Del Diablo”
La Guarida presents“El Espinazo Del Diablo”7 to 9 p.m. Free
“El Espinazo Del Diablo” is a film by Guillermo del Toro, who also directed “The Shape of Water”.
Spanish with English Subtitles
La Guarida is located at Mariscal Lamar y Luis Pauta(a few blocks away from Common Grounds).
Tuesday, February 5
February meeting of WoW, Cuenca: Writing our World
1 p.m.
The next meeting of Cuenca: Writing Our World will be held at Magnolia Caffe in Plaza Otorongo.
Topic this month: Story Scaffolding.
Hate outlines but need something to guide you through writing your novel, series, or novella? Story Scaffolds may be just the thing to help. Come investigate how this barebones approach can provide needed structure for pacing and character development, without stifling your creativity. Author Paul Anlee will give a short presentation and lead the discussion.
Writing Our World in Cuenca – A support group for writers of all genres, located in Cuenca Ecuador.
Please arrive 30-45 minutes early if you plan on ordering lunch. Reminder that, there is a $1.50 minimal charge by the Cafe if no food is purchased.
“Smoking Mirror” Exhibit at Museo de los Metales extended until April!
Quito artist Eduardo Villacis’ “Smoking Mirror” exhibit at the Museo de los Metales is an amazing show. The exhibit includes painting, illustration, a video, and sculpture, with a big dose of humor. It graphically illustrates how history is written by the victors.
Free.
Museo de los Metales is located at Av. Solano 11-83.\
Shambhala Meditation Cuenca is presenting a free talk on “Natural Wakefulness”
7 p.m.
‘Shastri’ Donna Williams from Shambhala International, con interpretación simultánea en español.She is presenting how using mindfulness and the environment to help us appreciate each moment of our lives.
All are welcome
Located at Museo de la Ciudad, at the corner of Gran Colombia and Benigno Malo.
Wednesday, February 6
Dance your Passion, free sample class, few spots available!
Dance your Passion, free sample class, few spots available!10 to 11:30 a.m.
Dance your Passion is a new program hosted by Caterina Talia, Italian professional dancer, teacher and choreographer, meant to allow adults (no matter if not experienced at all) to dive into the world of different dance styles, including ballet, Belly Dance, American Tribal Style along with controlled stretching, in a fun experience that benefits your health and strength with this beautiful art.
There are still a few spots for the 90-minutes free sample class this coming Wednesday. Contact Caterina Talia, email: caterinatalia@yahoo.com
Tersícore Professional Dance Academy is located at Estevez de Toral 16-09 and Hernando de la Cruz corner.
Salsa lessons at Santa Canela every Wednesday
Do you want to learn Latin dances?
Every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Salsa, Merengue, Tango. $7 per person.
Santa Canela Hostal Bar Grill and Lounge is located on Calle Larga 3-82 Y Vargas Machuca, pass Todos Santos.
Friday, February 8
Art History Salon at idiomART
10:30 a.m. to Noon (Doors open at 10 a.m.)
Cost $10. No reservation needed. Coffee, tea, and snacks available.
This week, art historian Berenice Cárdenas will be covering French Façades and Interiors. The French architectural styles in Cuenca. Exterior facades and interior decoration. Curious details of some houses and how the French decorative elements (Rococó, Art Noveau, and others, have been adopted and reinterpreted by the local elite.
An optional field trip is planned for the afternoon to Museo Remigio Crespo Toral.
idiomART is located at PresidenteCórdova 1-77, between Manuel Vega and Miguel Angel Estrella, in el Centro.
Gary and Eva playing at Santorino Restaurant
7 to 9 p.m.
Gary and Eva play a variety of tunes, ranging from bossa nova to the Beatles, and including jazz standards, a bit of blues, some Motown, other popular songs — and spiced with a few guitar instrumentals. They have performed separately and together for many years and are now in Cuenca for a short visit.
“Gary & Eva You can sample their music on YouTube, athttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AimscM_1nFc .
Santorino Restaurant is located at Calle Larga 1-209 y Miguel Angel Estrella.
Saturday, February 9 and Sunday, February 10
Workshop and Exposition of Musical Instruments
Two options: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Presented by Juliana Bonilla, go to this link to more about the artist’s work. https://www.facebook.com/ceramicasonora/
We are waiting for you in this unique meeting of union with ceramics and sound.
Expostion at Isabel la Católica 230 y Fernando de Aragón.
Meditate with Shambhala
Sunday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Free, though donations appreciated.
All are welcome! The Cuenca Shambhala Meditation Group invites you to meditate together.
Shambhala International follows the tradition of Pema Chödron and her teachers ChögyamTrungpa Rinpoche and SakyongMipham Rinpoche.Sunday’s practices include group chanting, silent seated meditation, and group walking meditation.
Chairs and cushions are provided. Everyone is invited to join us for brunch/lunch at a restaurant after meditation.
Meditation instructions are available free with advance notice at 9.30 a.m.
Located at 8-81 Calle Larga, east of Benigno Malo, south side, upstairs at Namaste India Restaurant.
Volleyball on Sunday
Have you played regulation international 6-on-6 volleyball in the past and are looking for a fun way to exercise? Good news. Play will be from Noon to 2 p.m.
Location is tournament style outdoor net on the grass just west of the soccer field at the west end of Parque El Paraiso (not too far from Banos and refreshments!)– at the intersection of Pje. Del Paraiso and Avenida Diez de Agosto.
For more information, email Gary at gl.e.volleyball@gmail.com
Volleyball tomorrow – outdoor regulation international 6-on-6
Outdoor regulation international 6-on-6 volleyball for expats and Cuencanos from noon to 2 PM, weather permitting. Look for the grass court just west of the soccer field at the west end of Parque El Paraiso
Coming soon!
Belly Dancing at Fishbon del Sur
It’s obvious that Dee from Ali’s Kitchen loves to dance! She had a dance school in Iran and is now offering a series of belly dance classes at Fishbon del Sur from February – May for only $5 per class. All the money goes to Mujeres con Exito to help the women’s shelter!
Classes are at Fishbon on Mondays from 3 to 4p.m. No experience necessary, come and join the fun!
Class dates: February 11 and 25, March 11 and 25, April 8 and 22, May 6 and 20. For more information, email Laura Inks Bodine at laurainksbodine@gmail.com.
Fishbon del Sur islocated at 14-25 Mariscal Lamar y Estevez de Toral.
Enjoy a Romantic Evening of Beautiful Ballads at The Jazz Society Café
7:30 to 10 p.m. for live music.
Food and Beverages service from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Make your reservation – limited space, email: jazzsocietyofecuador@gmail.com
The Jazz Society Café is located at 5-101 Luis Cordero y Juan Jaramillo, Upstairs (2nd Floor) of La Viña Italian Restaurant.
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What’s Happening Under the Domes is a weekly column by Sara Coppler. Sara has lived in Ecuador for over 5 years. She is an architect by training, who has worked for more than two decades in the field of international development and poverty housing. She is a co-founder of idiomART, a creative community center in Cuenca. Having admired the creative process throughout her life, she describes herself as a “Head Cheerleader for the Arts.” It’s this enthusiasm that she hopes to bring to this weekly column. You may contact her at info@underthedomes.org and feel free to check out her Under The Domes website at www.underthedomes.org.
